ASIA/MYANMAR - Appeal to young people from the Archbishop of Yangon

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - "Follow the non-violent path against violent means": this is the exhortation addressed to young Burmese by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who, in a statement published on 23 March and sent to the Agenzia Fides, recognizes "the wonderful historical contribution" and the sacrifice of the young people of Myanmar for the progress and improvement of the country. Cardinal Bo notes that the peaceful struggle of the youth movement for democratic values, fairness and unity in Myanmar has met with respect and worldwide recognition thanks to its "spontaneity, creativity, massive organization and non-violent approach". The non-violent modalities, the Cardinal remarked, "will prevail over violent oppression and decrease the death toll among demonstrators".
The message affirms that it empathically understands and recognizes the challenges facing young people in Myanmar today: surviving in the midst of severe hardship, resisting brutal violence, which causes pain, anger, frustration and anguish. At the same time, the text renews the call for the "only use of peaceful means" and to remain strong and disciplined in the non-violent response, in order to avoid further bloodshed and more victims in the process. of the confrontation.
"All religious traditions adhere to non-violence because violence is intrinsically evil. We unconditionally condemn violence against unarmed civilians", recalls the Cardinal, assuring his full support to young people, and recalling that a choice of violence would be detrimental to sympathies and international support and would be counterproductive for their protest. In the message, the President of the Myanmar Bishops' Conference promises to continue to work at all levels to reduce violence and protect human lives. (JK-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 24/3/2021)

Share:

youth

---

---

non-violence

---

---

violence

---

---

military

---

---

coup

---

---

human rights

---

---